Earlier this summer the hashtag #FireZackHall took over the Panic! At The Disco fan community following the emergence of sexual misconduct allegations against the band’s security manager Zack Hall.
On July 28, 2020, Second Society Report published an article titled Fans Urge Brendon Urie to Fire Zack Hall Amidst Misconduct Allegations that documented the allegations made against Hall by former band member Dallon Weekes and his wife, Breezy, which went viral on social media.
The Weekes’ family received an outpouring of support from fans and strangers alike — hundreds of whom shared similar horror stories of their experiences with Hall. Accusations ranged from verbal sexual harassment to physical assault in addition to posting and having child pornography on his phone after Hall publicly shared screenshots of nude photos he had received from fans via Snapchat.
In the days following these posts, fans urged the band’s frontman Brendon Urie to speak out against the claims, however until yesterday, November 1st- three months after the initial posts went viral- both Hall and Urie remained silent.
In the time since the initial allegations, several of those close to the band and or crew members have shared their own horror stories- including former touring guitarist Ian Crawford who Tweeted just four days ago that “Most of the stuff being said about Zack Hall to my knowledge is true. He should 100% be fired Panic! At The Disco.”
Later adding that Hall was “horrible to [him] in ways that are very hard to talk about,” and that he “said and did things no other person should do to someone.”
Now, after three long months of silence, Urie has announced via a Twitch stream that Hall is no longer serving as the band’s security manager.
“Zack has been removed from his current position with Panic! At The Disco,” he announced.
“Nobody who works with this band can ever act inappropriately with fans. Period. I want to say I am truly sorry to anyone who has been hurt by this directly or who has been made to feel unheard. The safety of our fans is a priority.”
In the near 4 minute long stream which never revealed the singer’s face but rather remained a voice over over a graphic of his name, Urie also shared that going forward his crew members will all be required to take anti-harassment training prior to going on tour and that he will be more aware of making sure that Panic! Shows are safe for all attendees.
However, following his words of caution and apologetic nature, Urie made a point to note that Hall would not be completely removed from his life or potentially from the band’s crew- adding that he believes in second chances.
“Zack is still my friend,” he stated. “Though I don’t see him ever interacting with fans again, I’m not just going to shut the door on forever.”
“My close friendship with Zack may have screwed with my perception of his relationships and interactions with other people. Including and especially with fans,” he stated. “I was naive to believe that Zack’s behavior would not be harmful to some.”
Urie then briefly addressed allegations made against himself, which include inappropriate fan behavior and racism, stating they are “entirely untrue.”
“I can’t tell you how sorry I am to those that have been hurt and to those who have had to wait while I took the time I needed to listen and just learn.”
Urie then ended the stream by thanking fans for “existing” and told them to “stay safe.”
But while Urie speaking out and addressing the issue is a larger step than many fans expected, several remain concerned that Hall’s involvement in Urie’s life and vague current employment status may be a temporary bandaid over a larger wound.
In fact, several fans have taken to social media to announce that they will no longer be supporting the band or forgiving Urie for allowing Hall to remain an integral part of his life- despite the countless allegations made against him.
It is for this reason, and the continued hope for safety of fans attending and surrounding Panic! At The Disco events that we are moving forward with sharing the following information.
Content Warning: the following article contains graphic depiction of sexual abuse against a minor as well as other allegations. Please read with caution.
Prior to yesterday’s announcement, Second Society Report had been working closely with an anonymous source on a piece about Hall’s history of abuse, dating back nearly 20 years to the 1990s during his teenage years in North Carolina.
Through several conversations with our source, we were informed of Hall’s lack of regard for the safety and well being of those around him. Accusations included sexual harassment, sexual assault of a minor, theft, breaking & entering, and physical battery.
Following our interviews we were able to confirm a number of Hall’s charges, including battery, larceny over $200, breaking and entering, and varying other felony charges pressed against him byway of police reports that list Hall under his full legal name: Zechariah Cloud Hall.
Many of those charges can be found here, here, and here, and range from 1993 to 2006- during Hall’s beginnings as a Panic! At The Disco crewmate.
We are sharing this information in solidarity with all of the survivors- past and present- who have suffered abuse or harassment at the hands of Zechariah (Zack) Cloud Hall.
Hall is an abuser. He should not be allowed a pass solely because of his friendship. His record reveals a pattern. He has not changed.
Concerts are supposed to be a safe space for fans to connect with one another under the umbrella of music. They are supposed to feel loved, cared for, and carefree. They are not supposed to worry about the band or their crew preying on them.
Panic! At The Disco owes it to their fans to confirm the complete removal of Zack Hall from their crew permanently.
If you or someone you know has been harmed by Zack Hall or his friends/family please know that Second Society Report believes you and we stand by you. You are not alone in this fight.
If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to RAINN for more information and anonymous help.
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